BRAIN FOOD | Read more than just trending “best sellers” in fiction

09.23.2015

Don’t get me wrong, I love a good fiction book just as much as the next 20-something year old. I love it even more if I find a great review of it online by PureWow or TheSkimm. I love it even MORE if it’s a recommendation from a friend with a similar taste in books (or my dad, he has a perfect track record with recommendations).

But, I don’t always learn from these fictional best-sellers. After leaving college, I’ve found it’s so much harder to learn new things. In college we had classes to attend, debates that would spark over study groups, and required reading. All of those things made me to sit down and learn something new. But sadly, college has been over for a while now…

So it’s up to me now to select books that will teach me something! I’ve made a rule, for every “fun” book I read, I must also read an “educational” book. (Note: Just because a book is educational doesn’t mean it can’t be fun)

Yes, I’ve come across a few “educational” books in my day that have been drier than a desert, but those are few and far between if you do a bit of research before selecting one. And if you don’t like the book you picked, then just pick a new one! This is no longer required reading for school. If your interest isn’t peaked after a few chapters then move onto the next book.

It doesn’t matter what you read either, it could be a book about stock trading or a book about knitting, just as long as you’re learning something new!

Ready to start on this educational reading adventure with me but looking for a great recommendation? I thought you’d never ask :)

This is a book I recommend to pick up right this second! It’s relevant for anyone, applicable for your personal and professional life, and an easy and entertaining read. Read it on the Metro into work or listen to it while you make dinner. However you want to consume it, consume it! And keep learning.

So, after that whole pep talk, what educational book will you be picking up? :) Clearly I’m looking for recommendations , as always.

P.S. In the left of the photo above, you’ll see my new cute Firmoo glasses I won through a giveaway that Kels hosted over on The Blonder Side of Life :) I wear them when I’m trying to read exceptionally hard books. They make me feel smarter :)

Related

This is a really good idea! I actually started reading a more educational book recently, though it was more to mix up my reading a bit, I had been hanging out in the 19th to early-20th century literature realm for a bit too long! Thankfully, my father and I have a shared interest in history, so I can pick my way through some of his. Right now I’m reading Young Stalin. I’ll finish it, but I don’t know if I like the writing style enough to recommend it. However, if you haven’t already read it, Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand is very good. It’s biographical, but it also has a lot of history and interesting background information in it

How to Win Friends and Influence People is a great book. A career development book I read that I enjoyed a ton was #Girlboss. Definitely check it out. Very motivational. Hope you like your firmoo glasses. I love mine!

Have you ever used Audible before? If not, your first audio book is free :)

meyanrose

I so agree with you! I’ve never really been a person who chooses my books because they are best-sellers… Truth be told I found some of my best loved and educational finds on book sales or thrift stores..